I just purchased a white lightening performance chip and am going to install it. I purchased a Chilton and noticed that the 1988 5.0L does not have the IATS but does have the coolant temp sensor. I will install it there. does anyone know about these performance chips and their reliability or do they really work???

Ricalbuq

 

Doh!!! You should have asked before buying, not after!!! You'll find a lot of these for sale used because it causes excessive pinging and/or people get tired of paying for premium gas. Will you be upset if I tell you the same and possibly greater gains can be had for free with these trucks? All you gotta do is open up the exhaust and advance the timing a couple degrees.

 

This isn't a "chip" it is a resistor to fool the computer into thinking that the inlet air temperature is colder than it is, causing the computer to inject more fuel than it should. This will cause more harm than good, and the computer may even compensate by leaning the mixture based on O2 sensor feedback. Your 88 does have an intake air temperature sensor, though if you are dead set at installing the resistor...

 

One word: JUNK........

 

yeah i wouldn't put it in either

 

If the 88 has the IATS then the chilton I purchased does not show its location. Do you know where the IATS is located??

Randy

 

Excuse my stupidity, but I am new to working on engines etc. But I want to learn how to. What a deal huh?? I also learned that this resistor will improve MPG, will the same occur as a result of advancing the timing??

Thanks for your help, I do appreciate it.

Randy

 

Me personally, I wouldn't install a device like that. You'll definately notice an increase in acceleration if the base timing is advanced 2 degrees (or more).

 

They gotta tell you something to sell a product I guess. Immediately after you install it you might feel a difference, but the computer will quickly compensate for the extra fuel so it'll be back to the same old performance in a short period of time.
An engine is an air pump, and the more air you can make it pass the more power it'll make. With these older trucks the computer is designed to adjust for an optimum air/fuel ratio as measured at the O2 sensor, but it doesn't care how much air is passing by. So, opening up the exhaust with headers and/or a free flowing cat back will result in more power. Installing a bigger cam will allow the motor to pump more air and make more power. There are limits though to how much power the stock injectors and computer can support, but these type mods are usually within those limits. The timing advance I mentioned is a more subtle mod, but it produces real gains nonetheless. It will actually help the engine produce better low rpm torque which can help fuel milage. Just be carefull not to get carried away, and keep an ear out for pinging under load, as in hill climbing at hwy speeds. If you get pinging drop the timing back a little or upgrade to the next grade fuel. Some engines can tolerate more timing than others, but it's not uncommon to get 2-3deg extra or 12-13deg total without pinging.

 

If anything I would think that the resistor mod would decrease gas mileage. I really don't think these things are a good idea, but the air temp sensor is located in the number 6 intake runner in the lower intake manifold on the drivers side.

 

Thanks all for your input. I will send the thing back since I have not used it and now I do not intend to.

Randy